Pierre Sage’s days at Crystal Palace feel numbered as clinical Newcastle triumph 2-0 to ease pressure on Matthias Jaissle, writes BOBBI MANZI

Two managers were desperate to alleviate the pressure on their jobs at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

For 45 minutes, it looked as though both Matthias Jaissle and Pierre Sage would achieve that – with defences on top in a tame affair.

But an 11-minute Magpies masterclass saw Palace implode, leaving the Newcastle boss in a much more secure job than the man in the opposite dugout.

Newcastle sliced through Palace as William Osula roamed free of Chris Richards to poke Jacob Murphy’s cross home from close range. Harvey Barnes added the second, capping off a slick passing move with a neat finish inside the box.

Daily Mail Sport’s Bobby Manzi unpacks a consequential afternoon in south London.

Defensive improvement

This was a monumental defensive performance from Jaissle’s side, who kept only their second clean sheet of the season.

Confidence in the Newcastle backline was low after conceding eight goals in their previous two away matches.

But a change in personnel at centre-back, bringing experienced heads Dan Burn and Fabian Schar in from the start, gave Newcastle much more stability.

Schar made 15 defensive contributions, 10 clearances and was not dribbled past once. Similar can be said of Burn alongside him.

Besides a good chance inside the six-yard box for Jean-Philippe Mateta inside the first five minutes, Palace did not create much of note.

There were some scruffy penalty area scrambles in the first half but Burn and Schar consistently found ways to deal with it.

Newcastle had greater defensive organisation, giving a stable platform to win for the first time since mid-September.

‘It’s important to mention Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw have done a good job in the last weeks,’ Jaissle said. ‘But we went for more experience and leadership to give stability to a young group who have been shaking a bit with the defeats. We’re really glad it worked out.’

The midfield pair were pivotal, too. Nico Gonzalez and Joelinton grafted defensively.

Every player knew their role in a dogged showing, and that will encourage Jaissle moving forward.

Clinical Magpies

At the opposite end of the pitch, it was a clinical Newcastle performance. They did not have many chances, amassing less than one expected goal but lethally punished Palace’s mistakes to climb to seventh in the league.

Osula’s goal came from nowhere after the break. Newcastle had created very little in the first half but Jaissle’s team talk seemingly sparked them into life – moving the ball quicker and with more purpose.

It was a simple goal, a neat cross in and some clever movement. A perfect response to their dull first half where they did not manage a shot on target.

Again, their second goal was another rapid move. Adam Wharton’s sloppiness on the edge of the penalty area was punished as Newcastle quickly shifted the ball to the right, crossed low into the box before laying off to Barnes.

Moving forward, Newcastle must create more chances because, aside from the goals, they crafted very little.

But the clinical display – alongside the defensive strength – marked a step in the right direction.

Sage’s time to go

The season’s first managerial sacking is imminent. Will it be Palace manager Sage or Michael Carrick at Manchester United?

At this rate, both clubs could release their statements at the same time. If at least one hasn’t posted the traditional corner flag picture alongside an official statement by Monday afternoon, something has gone seriously wrong.

Palace have the worst defence in the Premier League, conceding 19 goals in eight games, with only Oliver Glasner’s Nottingham Forest keeping them outside of the relegation zone.

There were signs of improvement in the first half against Newcastle. Palace defended as a solid unit and did not offer Newcastle a shot on target.

However, they imploded straight after half time, shipping two cheap goals. Soft goals have been a hallmark of Sage’s side, as have lapses of concentration and inconsistent performances within games.

An 11-minute spell straight after the break killed all the positive work Palace had done.

Meanwhile, this was the second game in a row they conceded less than one xG but shipped two goals.

It can be argued that they have been unlucky with every mistake punished. But that is a product of the defensive structure, where they are asked to be aggressive and come unstuck when they don’t have the ball.

Sage believes possession is the best form of defence, which is slightly worrying considering only three teams have had less possession than Palace this season.

Palace have won just one of their last six, and Sage’s defensive record is alarming decision-makers. It is difficult to see him fighting on much longer. Palace play again on Wednesday, and the quick succession of games may be Sage’s saving grace.

But supporters are growing restless, booing the team and manager off the pitch on Sunday.